Siberian Husky Dog Breed

History

The Siberian Husky breed was developed by the Chukchi tribe over 4,000 years ago in Northern Siberia. The word ‘Chukchi’ literally translates to ‘rich in reindeer’ or ‘reindeer people’. Siberian Huskies were much-valued members of these tribes, pulling sleds and even acting as dog duvets to keep the children warm at night.

In 1908, these dogs were brought over to Alaska to compete in sled dog races, where they became consistent winners. They quickly established themselves as fast runners with astonishing endurance despite their size. In 1925, the breed became famous for saving the city of Nome, Alaska, by battling harsh blizzards over 674 miles to distribute life-saving medications during a diphtheria pandemic.

Leonhard Seppala was the first person to introduce Siberian Huskies to the rest of the United States. He travelled to New England with his sled team in the 1920s. His dogs won every race which caught the attention of local dog enthusiasts. Over the years, more Siberian Huskies were brought over from Alaska and Seppala began breeding them, alongside Elizabeth Ricker. The breed achieved recognition from the American Kennel Club in 1930 and the Siberian Husky Club of America was founded in 1938.

It’s not clear when Siberian Huskies became popular in other countries around the world. Seppala sold a team of these dogs to the French film company Pathe and it's believed that the first Husky arrived in England in 1912. However, it wasn’t until 1968 that the first known pair of Siberian Huskies were imported to the UK by Mr and Mrs Proffitt after they came across the breed while travelling in Europe. The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain was formed in 1977.

While most of today's Siberian Huskies are adored family pets, many still pull sleds in local races and perform a winter sport known as skijoring with their human companions.

Appearance

Known for their wolf-like looks, Siberian Huskies are very appealing and attractive dogs. These friendly canines are medium-sized but very light on their feet. Males are often heavier than their female counterparts.

A Siberian Husky’s head is well-proportioned to the rest of its body, with a chiselled fox-like appearance. The skull is fairly domed with a moderately long muzzle that tapers toward the nose, which can be tan, black, flesh, or liver-coloured depending on coat colour.

Siberian Huskies have almond-shaped eyes that are well-set on their faces. The eyes can be in any shade of brown or blue and sometimes can have one eye of either colour. They have moderately sized ears that are set closely together and triangular in shape. They sit high up on the head and erect.

These dogs have strong jaws with a perfect scissor bite. Their moderately long necks are thick and arch proudly. They have well-laid-back shoulders and well-muscled front legs that are straight but never heavily boned.

A Huskies’ body is strong, with a level topline, and a deep chest. They have well-sprung ribs and loins that are slightly arched. This dog breed has powerful hindquarters and well-developed upper thighs.

The medium-sized feet are oval-shaped and compact. They are covered in fur and somewhat webbed between each of the toes. These traits helped to keep the dog warm in the harsh Siberian climate. Huskies have fox-like tails that are covered with fur. They are carried slightly curved when the dog is alert.

Siberian Huskies have a dense double coat that is medium in length. The undercoat is thicker and softer than the outer coat. The guard hairs, on the other hand, are straight, lying close to the body. All colours and markings are acceptable, except merle.

Personality

Siberian Huskies are smart but relatively independent and determined. They adore human company but they do require strong, gentle training from puppyhood. Siberian Huskies are known to be highly social so they are very welcoming to all people, including children.

Siberian Huskies are pack dogs. So, they require a human companion that will assert their role as alpha in the household. However, do not be surprised if they test your position in the pack and try to take control every now and then. These dogs are willful, playful, and a little mischievous!

Because of their thick, dense coats, Huskies can struggle in warmer weather. They may even dig up the garden to create cool burrows for themselves.

Siberian Huskies do not bark; however, they do enjoy howling, chirping, and whining. Huskies are very excitable dogs that are not afraid to express their emotions! They are particularly noisy when playing or exercising. This is one of their most unique and endearing traits but it can get out of hand easily if they are not appropriately trained. These dogs are not suitable for apartment living.

Huskies make incredibly loyal companions that will entertain you on a daily basis with their silly antics and incredible zest for life.

Trainability

Early, consistent training is a must with Siberian Huskies. You may also want to invest in advanced obedience classes. Putting in the effort in the beginning will make life much easier in the long run!

Crate training is an essential tool that breeders frequently recommend. This keeps your Husky safe. It also gives them their own secure area to go to when they feel overwhelmed, stressed, or tired. Note, though, that the crate should never be used as a form of punishment.

Huskies love to run. They also have very high prey drives. So, leash training is important with this breed. Do not let your dog off the leash until he has been appropriately trained.

Siberian Huskies respond well to firm, positive reinforcement training. Keep sessions fun and don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit to keep their keen minds engaged. Constant boundaries and rules are a must but refrain from dominance training or harsh training methods. These are likely to have the opposite effect and cause your Siberian Husky to act out.

Coat & Care

The Siberian Husky is considered to be a “natural” dog breed. These dogs are eccentrically self-cleaning and require only a few baths a year unless they are muddy or due to be shown in conformation shows. Brush their thick coats at least twice a week to keep them in good condition. Their undercoat will shed twice a year. So, it is crucial to constantly “rake out” the old coat by using a pin brush and metal comb.

For their dental health, brush their teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week to eliminate tartar buildup and bacteria. Daily brushing is much better if you want to avoid gum disease and bad breath.

Trim their nails once or twice a month to avoid painful tears and other health problems. Remember that a dog’s toenails have blood vessels in them, so if you cut too far, you can cause them to bleed. It is best to ask a veterinarian or groomer for pointers if you are not experienced or comfortable with nail trimming.

Their ears must be checked weekly for redness or a foul odour because these two symptoms can indicate an infection. You should also wipe the outer portions of the ears with a cotton ball dampened with a vet-approved, gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner.

As you groom your Siberian Husky, check for rashes, sores, or signs of infection such as inflammation, redness, or tenderness on the skin, eyes, nose, mouth, and feet. Their eyes must be clear, with no discharge or redness. Your thorough weekly exam will help you to identify potential health problems early on.

Health

Siberian Huskies are a relatively healthy dog breed. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to developing certain health problems. Only purchase a Siberian Husky puppy from a licensed breeder who will be able to perform DNA tests to check for any underlying conditions that may affect their quality of life as they age.

Here are some of the more common health issues seen in Siberian Huskies:

Cataracts – Characterised by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can advance over time. They may develop at any stage and can impair vision. Cataracts can typically be surgically removed.
Corneal Dystrophy – An eye condition that affects the cornea or the outer transparent portion of the eyeball, caused by a collection of lipids in the cornea. This condition is typically seen in young adult dogs, especially females.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – A family of eye diseases that involves the progressive deterioration of the retina.
Hip Dysplasia – An inherited health condition where the thighbone does not fit firmly into the dog’s hip joint. Some dog breeds display pain and limping on one or both back legs, while others do not show outward signs of pain or discomfort.
Elbow Dysplasia – A genetic condition common to large-breed dogs. It is believed to be caused by various growth rates of the three bones that make up the elbow.
Hypothyroidism – A health disorder of the thyroid gland that causes hair loss, epilepsy, lethargy, dark patches on the skin, and other skin conditions. It can be treated with proper medication and diet.
Von Willebrand's Disease – A genetic blood disorder that restricts the blood's ability to clot. The main symptom to watch out for is excessive bleeding after surgery or an injury.
Epilepsy – A genetic disorder that causes seizures. It usually occurs in dogs from 6 months to 6 years of age. This condition cannot be cured but it can be managed with medication.
Zinc Deficiency – A lack of zinc in the diet can cause hair loss on the elbows, hocks, feet, eyelids, and chin. Zinc supplements may help manage symptoms but it's always best to seek the advice of a vet in the first instance.

Children & Other Pets

Siberian Huskies make excellent canine companions for households with children. This dog breed can be very lenient with children, but they must be supervised when around young kids, like all other dog breeds.

Siberian Huskies also generally get along well with other dogs, especially if they have grown up together. However, it is still vital to ensure your Siberian Husky has been well socialised from puppyhood to avoid any dominance issues.

Bear in mind that these dogs have strong prey drives. So, they are not suitable for homes with smaller pets such as cats, rabbits, and hamsters.